Casting Call: 'Moon Over Buffalo'

Playhouse 22 is seeking seven actors for its upcoming production of "Moon Over Buffalo."

Auditions will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and at 10 a.m. Jan. 4, with callbacks Jan. 5. Auditions will be held on a first-come, first-served basis. Sides will be available at auditions.

"Moon Over Buffalo" centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950s. At the moment, they’re playing "Private Lives" and "Cyrano De Bergerac" in rep in Buffalo, N.Y., with five other actors. There are a total three men's parts and four women's.

On the brink of a disastrous split-up caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingenue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

Unfortunately, for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, abetted by a visit from their daughter’s clueless fiance and uncertainty about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf old stage-manager mother who hates every bone in George's body.

For more information, call (732) 254-3939, or contact moonoverbuffalo@playhouse22.org. Playhouse 22 is located at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

George Hay (late 40s-50s)	A very dramatic, slapstick type, over-the-top actor. As leader of his own acting troupe, George has always had aspirations to be famous. He’s a bit of a ladies man, but really is devoted to his wife, Charlotte. The actor must be able to do strong physical comedy, which could include pratfalls, running, stage slaps and stage combat.
Charlotte Hay (late 40s-50s)	Very much a drama queen. She helps to run the acting troupe and plays all the leads, even the ones she’s a bit old for. She is a consummate actress with dreams of being a star — at all costs! She loves George but is getting tired of his philandering. The actor playing Charlotte must be able to do an upperclass British accent. Some physical comedy required.
Ethel (late 60s)	Charlotte’s mother — close to her daughter, but not happy with her choice of a husband. She is also an actress — very witty, and takes nonsense from no one. She is very hard of hearing, which leads to comic misunderstandings.
Rosalind Hay (mid-late 20s)	George and Charlotte’s daughter. Used to be a member of the acting troupe, but she decided that she wanted a real career, so she left, determined never to act again or be like her parents. Rosalind is always repressing her dramatic side, but it’s a losing battle by the end. She has a fiance, Howard, but used to be in love with an actor in the troupe, Paul. The actor playing Rosalind must be able to do an upperclass British accent.
Howard (late 20s- early 30s)	Rosalind’s fiancé, a weatherman, who considers himself to be in the “acting” business. Comes across as a wimp, a little annoying, nervous and very excitable. The actor must be able to do strong physical comedy.
Eileen (early 20s)	An aspiring actress, eager to please. She has a crush on George and has been having a fling with him. Eileen wants to be a leading actress with the company. Comes across very flighty and naïve, but ultimately will do anything to get what she wants. She can be played as a bit manipulative.
Richard (50s)	George and Charlotte’s attorney. In love with Charlotte, always trying to get her to leave George. He is wealthy and used to getting what he wants, and is both amused and perplexed by the Hays.